Importance of Agricultural Marketing in India and Government Measures

Agricultural Marketing Meaning – Agricultural marketing is the involvement of assembling, storing, processing, packaging, grading, transportation, and distribution of agricultural commodities from the farmers to the end consumers.

Importance of Agricultural Marketing in India

Agriculture is the backbone of our country since we have a huge number of population and high in demand for the commodities to serve the hunger of the nation.

And it is the main livelihood for more than 58% of our country since our country consists of more villages and rural areas, it has been practiced from the generations from the ancestors till today.

In today’s modern world the expenses are becoming high and income is less, so farmers are selling their lands to the Industries and making the cultivated land into dry or wasteland.

If this continues we will be shorting the food supplies, to eradicate this type of happenings first we have to strengthen the farmer by getting more revenue for the crops grown by him.

So, to strengthen the farmer and to increase the food supply chain, the Central and State Government jointly taking steps to reach the commodities from farmers to consumers by using different Agricultural Marketing methods for a good price by eliminating middlemen and making farmers to get maximum profit, as well as end customers to get at the lowest price.

Hence it is the most important aspect of Indian Economy to grow GDP as well as to maintain stability in food chain management.

Agricultural marketing is one of the many problems that have an immediate impact on the prosperity of farmers since India is associated with rural agriculture and up to 70% of the population depends on it.

Agriculture provides raw materials to numerous Industries and so, advertising and promoting of such industrial crops like cotton, sugarcane, oil seeds, and so on.

The Marketing method brings new varieties, qualities and helpful product for shoppers and, as a result, selling acts as a line between production and consumption.

An advertising gadget can grow to be an immediate supply of new technical understanding and set off farmers to adopt updated clinical methods of cultivation.

A reduction in the cost of marketing is a direct benefit to the society.

Elimination of middlemen is possible only when farmers involved in Agricultural Marketing.

Govt measures in Agricultural Marketing

1) Market Surveys

* Various surveys have been conducted and published by Government for various goods.

* Problems in marketing have been pointed out and remedies suggested.

* Wide publication of price of different Agricultural goods in different markets through the market survey.

2) Development and Strengthening of Grading and Standardization System

* Assigning ‘AGMARK’ to these graded products which ensure good quality and also command a better price in the market.

* Setting up of central quality control laboratory at Nagpur along with eleven regional laboratories for testing of products applying for ‘AGMARK’. So far 108 rules for Agricultural commodities have been framed.

3) Setting up of Regulated Markets and Strengthening Agricultural Marketing System

* The regulated markets are set up to eliminate unhealthy market practices and protect the interests of the farmers.

* Agriculture being a state subject, a model APMC Act was formulated and circulated to the states/UT’s in the year 2003 for adoption.

* There are 7,114 regulated markets in India as on 31-03-2014 that caters to need of approximately 80% Agricultural products.

* The Central Sector Scheme launched on 20-10-2014 under which credit linked investment subsidy is provided for general or commodity specific marketing infrastructure for Agricultural and allied commodities.

The scheme is linked to implementing 3 reforms namely.

Setting up markets in a Private and Co-operative sector.

Provision for contract farming.

Provision for direct marketing.

It is being implemented in those States /UT’s which has amended their APMC Act accordingly.

4) Strengthening the provision of storage and warehousing facility.

* Necessary to prevent wastage and distress sale of farmers.

* Central Warehousing Corporation was set up in 1957 with the purpose of constructing and running godowns and warehouses.

* States have also set up the warehousing corporations for the same purpose.

* The FCI has its own network of storage facilities.

* The launch of ‘Grameen Bhandaran Yojana’ (Rural Godown Scheme) 01-04-2001 with the main objective of creating scientific storage capacity with allied facilities in rural areas.

5) The organization of Co-operative Marketing System

* These are multi-purpose organizations with emphasis on credit and marketing.

* Primary promoting societies are inspired to make societies at State and apex level National Agricultural promoting Federation (NAFED) and National Climatic Data Center.

* Large financial and other support has been provided by the Government.

6) Setting up of Special Boards and Organisations.

* The Central Government has set up a number of such boards for unique commodities like Rice, Pulses, Millets, Oilseeds, Sugarcane, Jute, Cotton, Tobacco, and so forth.

* Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) at Faridabad for the promotion of standards and grading of Agricultural and allied produce.

* Ch.Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), Jaipur for providing training in the field of Agricultural Marketing.

* Small Farmers Agricultural – business Consortium (SFAC), New Delhi for promoting Agricultural business for small and marginal farmers.

7) Marketing Research and Information Network (MRIN) Scheme.

* An ICT based Central Sector Scheme of Marketing Research and Information Network (AGMARKNET) was launched in March 2000.

* Aimed to provide electronic connectivity to important wholesale markets in the country.

* Information relating to prices, the arrival of commodities and another market-related information is provided on the portal.

Chethan M is a talented go-getter, always adding value. Throughout his journey of gathering knowledge, this is the time he wants to contribute by this blog. Looking forward to continuing on a path of success making the readers happy. A true social player, cheers!

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